Sir John, a Scottish poet, in the reign of James V. of Scotland, was descended from an ancient family in that kingdom. His father, Mr Thomas Ballenden of Auchinoul, was director to the chancery in the year 1540, and clerk register in 1541. Where our poet was educated, we are not informed; but from one of his poems we learn, that in his youth he had some employment at the court of King James V. and that he was in great favour with that prince. Having taken orders, and being created doctor of divinity at the Sorbonne, he was made canon of Rois, and archdeacon of Moray. He likewise obtained the place of clerk-register, but was afterwards deprived of that employment by the factions of the times; however, in the succeeding reign of Mary, he recovered that office, and was one of the lords of session. Being a zealous Papist, he, in conjunction with Dr Laing, was extremely affiduous in retarding the progress of the reformation; till at last, finding the opposition too powerful, he quitted Scotland, and went to Rome, where he died in the year 1590. He is generally esteemed one of the best Scottish poets of that age. His works are, 1. The History and Chronicles of Scotland of Hector Boethius (Boethius), translated by Mr John Ballenden, Edinb. 1536. This is not a mere translation, Ballenden having corrected several mistakes of his author, and made large additions. It is in folio, and black letter. 2. Cosmography to the History of Scotland, with a poetical poem. 3. A Description of Albany. 4. Translation of Boethius's Description of Scotland. 5. Epistles to King James V. Bale says he had seen these letters. 6. Several poems in Carmichael's collection of Scottish poems; besides Ballender many others in manuscript, in private libraries in Scotland. 7. Virtue and Vycle, a poem addressed to King Ballisteum. James V.